Physiological mechanisms and adaptation strategies of Lactuca sativa L. in response to Olea europaea L. and Ficus carica L. allelochemicals

•Agro-industrial wastes of olive and fig triggered an intricate defense system in lettuce.•Their allelochemicals can be specific in the physiological and biochemical actions.•Implicated enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants in mitigating oxidative stress.•Their bioherbicidal mechanisms of action were reported for the first time.